Eastern Kentucky University opens its football season Saturday evening in Cullowee North Carolina, going up against Western Carolina University. EKU begins a new era as part of the ASUN Athletics Conference. In football alone, the Colonels are participating in contests against teams from the WAC.
Coronavirus is still very much a concern in athletics this fall. EKU Head Coach Walt Wells said his players have responded with widespread vaccination. “And some of them probably didn’t want to to be honest with you, but they know that’s the situation we’re in in college football right now. And so, they made the educated choice. We had speakers come in and talk to them at different times and I think that really helped. But, I think they also did their own research and made some maturity on it,” said Wells.
The Colonels finished three and six during a fall season, while other league schools opted to wait and play in the spring. Lexington Junior, Defensive Lineman Shane Burks said the pandemic last season seemed to impact team chemistry. “We’ve come a long way in that this team is a little bit more tighter knit than last year. Not to speak down on that team but I think that we are closer as an entire team and we care about each other and love each other and I think that will go a long way for us,” explained Burks
The Colonels and Catamounts last met in late November with the Colonels winning decisively 49-17 at Roy Kidd Stadium.
Western Carolina come into the opening game after losing Assistant Coach John Peacock to COVID-19 complications just a few weeks ago. EKU Coach Wells said thoughts and prayers are with the WCU family. He said his team will respect any way Western Carolina honors Peacock.
The game is set to kickoff at 6:00 Saturday night.
